If you want to buy in East Hampton

 "Post-card perfect" is how Rylan Jacka, senior vice president of Sotheby's International Realty, describes the Village of East Hampton, citing historic landmarks, the windmill, beaches and shops, as well as old and new shingle-shake houses.

"To me, it's like a Norman Rockwell painting," says Judi Desiderio, chief executive of Town & Country Real Estate. There's nothing like watching the kids skate on Town Pond when it freezes, she says. "All four seasons are exceptional in this village."

Main Street -- lined with elm trees and dotted by boutiques, eateries and vintage buildings -- is busy in the summer. In an effort to make it safer for pedestrians, the state recently installed high-tech safety crosswalks that include special lighting to improve visibility at night.

Of five village beaches, Main Beach was ranked third on the 2012 Top 10 American Beach list compiled by Stephen Leatherman, a Florida coastal scientist known as "Dr. Beach." Georgica Beach, which suffered erosion from Tropical Storm Irene, is still coming back, says village administrator Larry Cantwell. "The other beaches are in great shape," he adds.

Buyers can find ranches, Victorians, postmoderns and mansions with prices ranging from $785,000 to $25 million, says Desiderio. "Business is much better than it was," she says. "People are picking up great deals." Jacka agrees. "It's been great. . . . We are all very busy and the market is still value-driven."